OK this is going to be long, so bear with me....

So I started in San Diego in late December and first stopped off at Zion National Park. I ran into a nasty snowstorm, and could barely get into campground section of the park. The Utah parks in the winter only plow every 2-3 days due to the lack of crowds (this was told to me by several park rangers, so just FYI). There wasn't much to do in Zion in winter since the Narrows and Angels Landing (the two biggest attractions) were particularly treacherous with ice and snow.

I continued on to Bryce Canyon. This was one of my winter favorites. I stayed in the campground there and was the only person. The snow was about a foot or two deep, and I stupidly didn't bring a shovel. I kicked a reasonable amount of snow out of the way, set up my tent and got to hiking. The park was blessedly empty and the snow was a gorgeous contrast to the orange and pink hues of the rocks. I highly recommend a winter stop here. The park is at over 9,000 ft, so keep that in mind for temperatures. It dropped to 0-10 degrees at night and was in the low 30's during the day. It was a very chilly night, but they have heated bathrooms! Seriously, best bathrooms I've ever seen in a National Park.

The gorgeous scenic route 12 is closed during the winter, and unfortunately, that's the shortest path to the next park, Capitol Reef. That park is otherworldly and usually skipped over in people's park trips. I was again the only person in the park and enjoyed an empty campground and empty trails. The colors there are unbelievable. You could probably just drive the main 15 mile drive and see the majority of the park if you're on a time crunch. The best way to move on from Bryce is go up 89 to 70 East and then come down the 191 to Moab.

The next park I went to was Dead Horse State Park. They hadn't plowed and the campground was closed, so I could only do a day trip, but it was well worth the stop before Canyonlands. Ahhhh Canyonlands. This park will ruin the Grand Canyon for you. There was again, very few people here, although more than the other parks due to the proximity of Moab (there really isn't a major town or city anywhere near the other parks that's actually open in winter). You really can only do a few trails in the center portion of the park as the rest of it is closed for winter. But, it's definitely worth the trip. I stayed in Canyonlands campground and it was so peaceful and quiet. It gave you that feeling of remoteness and isolation that is rarely to be had nowadays.

While staying at Canyonlands, I hiked through Arches. This park offered the most amount of available hiking during winter. Invest in some good crampons, like [microspikes]
(http://smile.amazon.com/Kahtoola-MICROspikes-Footwear-Traction-2015/dp/B00RXXJ0V2/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1458167182&sr=1-1&keywords=microspikes). They were absolutely necessary and I ended up rescuing a group of tourists after they got stuck up on an icy cliff. The temps in Moab stayed mild. At night it got down to the teens and during the day was in the 30's. I camped through yet another winter storm, which was... interesting to say the least. I was forced one particularly bad night to stay in a hotel in Moab and it was pretty reasonable. I remember the price being about $65 for a night.

I also made a trip out to the Four Corners to fulfill a life long dream of mine. After that, I stopped at Mesa Verde. Their campground was closed as well, but I didn't know that until I arrived since they hadn't updated their site. Check the NPS twitter feeds by the way! They had the most updated and reliable information, which was vital with the unpredictable winter weather. Mesa Verde was good for a day hike, but I had to move on to another park to stay the night. I tried Canyon De Chelle - same deal - closed for winter, along with Petrified Forest and Goblin Valley.

The grand finale was the Grand Canyon. Imagine my surprise when it was completely full! Holy cow is that park crowded! I've now been in summer, winter and fall, and I'd honestly be happy never going again. It's definitely a one time see before you die sort of thing, but I enjoyed the solitude of the Utah parks much more.

I've also stayed in Joshua Tree and Death Valley in the winter, as well as Yosemite. Joshua Tree and Death Valley are incredibly crowded in the winter, so show up very early to get a camping spot, or you'll go to "overflow" in a BLM area. Yosemite is crowded 24/7 and closes part of the park and its campgrounds in winter, so it can be hit or miss.

As far as supplies..... southern Utah is dead in the winter, so I was actually very happy I stocked my car before leaving, because I wasn't able to resupply until about 8 - 9 days into my trip at Moab, and even that city was mostly dead. I was really surprised at all of the ghost towns. Arizona stays open and active year round, so you'll be fine there. You'll have Kingman before the Grand Canyon and you can get everything you need there. You'll also be driving through a lot of Navajo territories, and they don't treat their roads very well. I had the most trouble driving in a few storms in those territories due to the lack of plowing and general conditions of the roads - massive pot holes, faded lines, stray dogs weaving through traffic. There are a few stores, but they're few and far between. California has nice weather year round, so you're not too far from a store to resupply.

Honestly, if you only have a few days, either hit Grand Canyon or Death Valley from San Diego. Both will be about a 5 hour drive. If you go to GC, you can hit Four Corners and then up to Rocky Mtn Park pretty easily. From Death Valley, you can hit Vegas, Valley of Fire, the Hoover Dam, and Bryce Canyon on the way to Rocky Mtn NP. The more scenic route will be the latter option, and with the snow, there's no real way to go from the Grand Canyon to southern Utah due to the road closures. That's a real shame because the North Rim is arguably better than the South Rim.

OK I think that's about it. Ask me anything else! I've done this trip a couple of times now and I've loved it each time.

EDIT: I uploaded an album of my trip for you to check out.

At minimum, I would suggest four things: Horsehair brush (as mentioned below), a conditioner, a dauber (to apply the shining agent), and a shining agent (if you want them to shine/polish).

My recommendations on products that I've personally used (which I've used a number of things, but found these to be had at a good price/quality ratio):

1. Kiwi Horsehair brush. I have two of these, one for work and one for home. Love them both.
   
   
2. Lexol leather conditioner. Amazing stuff, I use it on belts, wallets, car seats, and definitely boots and shoes. I bought a liter, but I'm guessing the 8oz bottle will last several years. Strong recommendation for this product.
   
   
3. FootFitter dauber. I didn't use a dauber for a long time but in my opinion, it's much easier to get a consistent coating with a dauber vs an old shirt. Definitely optional on this one.
   
   
4. Saphir neutral wax. Saphir is a company highly touted on /r/GoodyearWelt and many other shoe forums/communities. I have never come across a straight out bad review of anything they make, but have only used their waxes. Much bigger fan of their wax over Kiwi and other generic waxes. It smells great, shines great, and is quite forgiving. I suggest Neutral for all colors except black, in which case I recommend black. Strong recommendation.

My favorite shoe cleaning supplies

Angelus Water and Stain Repellant, Clear


Kiwi 209-000 Suede and Nubuck Care Kit


Shacke Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner



E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive, 3.7 Fluid Ounces

Saphir Renomat 100ml

B&E LIFE 5 Pairs Practical Plastic Adjustable Length Men Shoe Tree Stretcher Boot Holder Organizers 5 Pairs Black

You could get shoe trees for much cheaper, from Ikea for example but I just wanted to link something.

Angelus Easy Cleaner 8 Oz.


These brushes are the absolute best if you know better brushes let me know


Angelus Sole Bright 4 Oz Salon care 40 works too



IRIS USA, Inc. CNL-5 Storage Box, 5 Quart, Clear, 20 Pack


Dr. Scholl's WORK Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles (Men's 8-14) // All-Day Shock Absorption and Cushioning for Hard Surfaces (Packaging May Vary), 1 Count

EB Kicks,


If you know of any better products please let me know I don't believe I missed anything

This video is stupid helpful for white sneakers

Get Jordan 1 Glitter outta your shoes

I think you'll really like the Domain leathers, since they do shine-up very well. The pictures of my Jobmasters were after a very fast and undeliberate polish with some neutral Saphir wax. I'd say the Domain leather is fairly maintenance-free, but I don't wear them in extreme conditions, either. I just brush them off when they get dirty, condition with Lexol and polish with Saphir.

My Packers have a 1/4" heel lift (2" total heel height), and my Jobmasters have the standard 1-3/4" heel. I greatly prefer the 1-3/4" heel for walking. The 2" heel is pretty tall and takes some getting used to; it still looks great, though. I prefer the 430 sole, too. Just as a heads-up, it does squeak on some smooth floors like linoleum, if that matters.

As far as the toe profile, I think the Packer and Motor Patrol (MP) lasts are best-suited for dressy boots. Personally, I find the Packer last to be more comfortable, especially in the toebox. The MP toebox is fairly long and flat, and the Packer toebox is taller and pointier (similar to a cowboy boot). The Boss last is very comfortable, too, and it looks great on engineer boots.

/u/rev_rend has a nice pair of MP-toe Engineer boots, too!

I'll paste what I wrote yesterday on the original deal thread...

Shoes finally came in, they fit true to size and look really nice. If they hold up for a while, I'll be ecstatic at this price point. Awesome find and thanks once again OP!

I wear a 14 in Nikes, a 13 in some other makes, and the 14 of this boot fit perfectly.

I also just bought this nice little kit to keep these boots in good shape, and plus it's a good $17 investment for a nice little kit.

http://www.amazon.com/McNett-ReviveX-Nubuck-Suede-Fabric/dp/B002HH0PL8/ref=sr_1_6?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1371572983&sr=1-6&keywords=suede+waterproofing+spray

Very happy to help! I don't personally own a pair of those but a good friend (and fellow footwear idiot) has a few pair and loves them.

I think the Woodlore Epic is the current sub darling, if you want to go with a tested time-proven option.

Have a great night and weekend!

The answer lies in proper leather care! If you have a pair of leather shoes you already know what I'm about to say: use mink oil! This magical stuff is basically vaseline for top-grain leather. Leather is skin, so if you treat it like skin it will age beautifully.

I oil my case with mink oil about once a month, which aside from keeping the leather conditioned and waterproofed also really enhances the patina. I also actively try to not baby the case too much. You can see how pristine and uniform the iPhone 6 case looks. I was so frustrated with how boring it looked after two whole years that, for the iPhone 7, I swore I would overcome my OCD and let the case get beat up. Intense mental training deep in the Appalachian wilderness followed. But I feel like it came out a success!

Some tips:

• Test on an inconspicuous location first, like the bottom corner of the case, to make sure you like how it looks with the oil. It will darken the color a little bit.
  
  
• Apply liberally with your hands or with a cloth; you don't really have to be careful and can treat it like vaseline, just make sure not to apply it to any suede or microfiber. Rub it into the leather with your hands or with the cloth until the leather doesn't feel totally greasy. The lotion/vaseline comparison will take you pretty far, so don't overthink it, haha.
  
  
• You have to reapply it periodically. I do it about once a month, but you can generally tell by the color of the leather; it's a lot more rich and vibrant after it's just been oiled, and dulls and gets drier over time depending on how it's handled. You can apply it as much as you want, there isn't really a way to use too much.
  
  
• It can also repair/hide cracks and scratches in the leather! So if you dinged the case or dislike visible scratches, mink oil will restore some uniformity to the color and hide the scratches while bringing out the underlying wear on the material. For cracks and even tears, mink oil kind of "binds" the torn leather to itself so it forms a darker-colored scar, which becomes your patina. It's really fun to let the case get totally "beat up" and then watch the damage instantly disappear and "age" with just a dab of oil.
  
  
• Please don't go swimming with your oiled leather. Mink oil is more of a "lite" waterproofing solution, good for rain and some splashes, and is really the equivalent of vaseline for leather. So, if the case gets drenched and remains that way for a while, it's still going to swell and form bumps, which don't go away after the water evaporates if the swelling was bad enough.
  
  Link to mink oil tin, $6 with prime shipping: https://smile.amazon.com/Sof-Sole-Preserving-Waterproofing-3-5-Ounce/dp/B003EMABT6/
  
  Happy leather-ing :D

I have the Brooks Brothers kit with the cedar stand that is ridiculously overpriced, but I wanted it badly anyway and bought it as a present to myself on my birthday and got it and enjoy the hell out of it. With that said, although I enjoy the kit, the little Kiwi kit you can buy in the little bag from Walmart/Target is perfectly fine and will suit your needs completely. I used that for years and liked the stuff. Kiwi still makes great polish. Since this is r/frugal I would definitely say that is the route to go. Here's a link on Amazon to what I'm talking about. It's $15 and free shipping with Prime. That's for black and brown. Can't go wrong there.

Alright, I have a recipe for you. It is a spicy apple molasses cake; It's one of my favorite cakes. This would pair amazingly with your mead for the ultimate fall drink and dessert. Both of these simply exude the flavors of fall, pumpkin, apples, molasses, and spice. Bonus points as it is vegan :)

Apple Molasses Cake

2 1/2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup thinly sliced apple
1/2 cup golden syrup/corn syrup
2 tablespoons molasses
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
6 tablespoons vegetable margarine
Preheat the oven to 350F (180C)

Use a 9 inch round cake tin.

Grease and line the cake tin. Mix the syrup and molasses. Fold in the apples and cook on a low flame until they are tender. Allow to cool. Melt the margarine in the hot water and mix the liquid gradually into the flour. Add all the other dry ingredients, little by little, constantly stirring to keep smooth. Finally stir in the syrup-apple-molasses mixture. Pour into the tin and bake 45-60 minutes. Test with a warm knife. Allow to cool in the tin before turning out. Enjoy the deliciousness! (not optional)

Edit: Linked item

I'm not the best person to answer this, but in case no one else steps up I'll give it a shot.

1. I think this is a fair assumption. If a seller (especially the manufacturer) itself does not specify the type of leather then it's probably not very high quality. If it was nice leather, it would be in their best interest to advertise that. Perhaps the only exception would be buying from a manufacturer that is well known for having quality products, but even then I would be skeptical.
   
   
2. If you're talking about the creasing of the leather, then yes that's normal, but it can be mitigated greatly by using shoe trees. As far as I know, it's not bad for the leather, but most people like preventing it as much as possible.
   
   
3. I think this is normal too, but it probably wouldn't wear out as quickly on higher quality shoes. But you can clean that up with edge dressing. Just be careful not to get it on the leather.

1. Saphir is the best polish on the market. Many shoe manufacturers also have their own brand of polish.
   
   
2. Any horsehair brush will be fine
   
   The response given is a little confusing, since in the first sentence they recommend a wax polish and then refer to it as a cream in the rest of the text.
   
   Are you trying to shine your shoes or just take care of them?
   
   Either way, start with a cream that closely matches the color of your shoes, this will condition the leather and help to recolor scuffs and scratches. Apply in the way the email describes or refer to the care guide linked above.
   
   If you feel like you want a higher shine, wax polish is the next step. Again, check out the care guide for instructions.
   

So our cleaning lady accidentally put my rep Chanel espadrilles in the donation bin a few months ago and last week I received a replacement from the same seller (AliExpress guy I added on whatsapp). They were the same size (37) but fit tighter and a tad shorter than my old ones :cries: so I went to Amazon to get a 4 way shoe tree to stretch them and came across this spray. OMG it was like a miracle! I sprayed in and out, put in the trees and left overnight. This morning they were perfect! Even loose enough to wear with thin no-show socks.

I know breaking in shoes can literally be a pain so I figured sharing this might help someone. Have a great day ladies!

This is super easy to do.
Unless you have horrible color transfer, you don't really need to use the cleaner. I typically love using pure Water Wipes to wipe down my bag after each use. I typically use Cadillac Conditioner (I also have apple conditioner) I prefer Cadillac on vachetta and Apple on treated leather. I use a generous amount on a soft cloth, and gently rub it into the bag. I often do one coat, let dry for 30 minutes and apply a second coat and let dry again.
I only condition once every 3-4 months unless you live in a very humid or dry location.
I swear by my Kiwi all protect spray for vachetta as well.

Awesome that you dress well at 16! Keep up the good work.

I never use shoe trees and would only consider doing so for extremely expensive shoes - prices I have never afforded. I care for shoes using only old fashioned Kiwi shoe polish. It is inexpensive and gives the best protection and shine when buffed by hand with a soft cloth. It comes in black, brown and neutral.

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Brown-Shoe-Polish-1-1/dp/B000MLDC3O/ref=sr_1_5

You can also spray your shoes with silicone spray if you want water to roll off them more easily. I find that all silicone sprays are the same, so there is no need to buy one for leather and a different one for suede.

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Protect-Rain-Stain-Repellant/dp/B000QR6V32/ref=sr_1_3

Have you tried shoe stretch spray in conjunction with a shoe stretcher?

It seems the leather is pretty soft and pliable on the espadrilles so I'm sure it would work. Do you need more width or more length?? I've stretched several pairs of rep shoes both width and length wise (including Gucci Brixtons and Prada brouges) with great success that way.

Use a leather cleaner to clean them up, first. Then rub in some mink oil.

They are a good starter boot. However, the best lesson they will most likely end up teaching you is that an expensive boot is worth every penny. When they're worn out in a few months, consider Red Wings or Wolverines.

Good luck!

Ok. Walk me thru this just to be certain.

Step 1: Use Some saddle soap such as this Fiebings Saddle Soap with a nice cloth and some water to scrub clean the shoes. Then let dry overnight.

Step 2: Heat Sperry's using a blow dryer to allow oil to absorb oil better. Use some mink oil such as this with another cloth and apply coat. Remove excess with dry cloth. Let dry overnight. Reapply next day. Remove excess.

Step 3: Profit.

I assume this would also work with a pair of clarks I own as well...?

no clue if this one delivers to the UK, but they look nice

here are the same ones as above, on ebay

same ones again but on Ebay UK

You could maybe do something like this if you buy laces in 2 different colors, those are easier to find than multicolored ones

this one's not bi pride specifically, it's from Amazon UK and has a rainbow option that was too pretty to not share

edit: pale pink and blue oval shoelaces, Amazon UK

Care about your leather the proper way.

There quite a few youtube tutorials about that.

You will need to gather a kit of 3-4 different chemicals (cleaner, softener, cream, wax), two brushes (soft and hard) and some sponges. Then clean your leather every or every other month. Make sure to give enough time between every stage of the cleaning (i.e. apply cleaning solution, buff in, wait 15 mins, buff out).
Should take about 45 minutes once you get a hold of it. You can do like 3 pairs in these 45 mins.

Or take to shoe repair store and and ask 'em to do a deep cleaning on 'em.

Here is the kit I bought on Amazon for this purpose (hope it is OK to post product links here - I get no kickback from these):

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NVK34T0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002A92UZC/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002J8379C/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZGQ4HKW/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KGG7QQY/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J7RL0ZQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CSVPP23/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CSYPC3X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MS1IDIA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For boots, Obenauf's LP is great. It'll darken the leather a bit, but it works wonders even on relatively cheap leather. Saddle Soap is another good option to consider, Kiwi makes one that you should be able to buy on Amazon.

As for polishing, you'll need some sort of polishing kit. This one should have everything you'll need except for polish. The Bostonians look burgundy, so this is probably your best bet. If they're not burgundy, then get whichever color matches them the closest.

For my brown leather shoes, I use this to apply this. And then I hit it with this. There's a lot of different ways to go about it though. Put This On had an episode dedicated to shoes and they demonstrate how to polish your shoes in the film. I highly recommend checking it out (along with their other videos - very good stuff). Good luck.

My OSB peanut/brick mocs from massdrop came today. Started to get buyers remorse waiting for these and thinking the color was going to be too bright and light but they are perfect.

Also got my new leather laces from amazon for my red wings 8152s. If anyone is looking for quality leather laces these are excellent so far.

Rubbers! Kind of an oldschool option, but if you want nice shoes and have to trudge through muck, they're a great option.

Guys, this stuff is amazing. I originally bought it for shoes but it’s money on 99% of stains. Smells great. Hasn’t ruined anything yet. AND it has saved my favorite titleist hat many times this summer Amazon Link

Keep in mind pretty much everything you see there is above the treeline.

For spikes these are the ones I have. I have seen them recommended a lot and they have been fantastic for me. Easier to walk on ice with them than on the ground without.

Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction - Black Medium - 2015/16 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RXXJ0V2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kL64ybA640QM5

How about since it's winter (depending on which hemisphere you're in anyway), Kathoola Microspikes. They help you get traction on ice, snow, up hills, etc. Most people outside of winter hikers wouldn't buy them, but they're a good waste of 50-100 bucks because they're actually pretty useful.

> Clean your turtle doves with the crep kit

This kit?

> then buy sole protectors

Is the Crep one good? This one specifically.

Thanks!

Thank you so much for your insight and quick reply. I thought saddle cleaner was less heavy duty than Lexol cleaner so thank you for clearing that up. I have a tendency to over condition, so I'll probably go with the Lexol conditioner over coconut oil because I have trouble regulating the coconut oil.

I won't care much about scuffs/nicks day to day, but I do plan on wearing them with slacks every once in a while so I'd probably want to touch them up then. Would something like this be good for the cigar leather color?

I've been asked if I put on suede spray for these three recent shoes that that I bought: derby buck, brown cap toe oxford, and a Crepe sole (cheaper) chelsea boot.

Since they're all well under $100, even more so as I have a 25% discount code, I told someone that I don't bother, but I would if they were $200 to $500 shoes.

However, I did order a suede cleaning kit by Kiwi, and it seems to work well for these shoes.

For the most part, it's important to keep these shoes dry and avoid in (known) wet weather. However, minor water stains are oftentimes unavoidable, and the suede cleaning kit seems to do a satisfactory job.

I'm wondering if suede protector just isn't worth it. On the other hand, I regularly put rubber cement on the soles to avoid the soles wearing down, so the base of the shoes (too cheap to re-sole) last far longer than normal.

Leather is essentially dead skin. Like skin, it needs to be kept somewhat moist to prevent becoming brittle and cracking, but unlike living skin, it no longer receives nourishment, hence the whole point of doing this.

Keep in mind, "Less is more". Always aim for enough to cover the leather, but not enough to saturate it. Your boots will darken slightly, just like anything that acquires moisture.

If you don't follow any routine? Boots may last you a few years, maybe more, maybe less.
If you do follow a routine. Boots may last a few decades, maybe more, maybe less. They may outlast you!

• Brush: https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100-Horsehair-Shine-Brush/dp/B0010TR6NE
  
  
  
• Applicator Brush: https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Horsehair-Polish-Applicator-191-100/dp/B001ECZOKY
  
  
  
• Leather Cleaner (Haven't used this yet, but I've heard its fantastic. I've been using kiwi saddle soap). https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Cleaner-Honey-Accessories-Concentrated/dp/B00HU6N3LK
  
  
  *Leather Conditioner: https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Conditioning-Oil-2-5-74g/dp/B00N9CHI2O
  
  
  You can find everything you need at most department stores, but this should give you an idea of what the tools look like.

Pretty much any shoe tree of the right size will work. The one you linked is perfectly fine. That being said, for my boots I personally prefer shoe trees with more filled out heel sections, so I use the Woodlore Epic. They're a bit more expensive but compared to the cost of the boots they go in, I don't find them to be excessively so. If you're looking to save a few bucks, I've seen them on Massdrop in a pack of 2 pairs for ~$40 or so, which is a decent discount.

The color of new AEs is very matte when you take them out of the box. After spending time polishing them they will look like different shoes.

If you are on a budget I would at the very least put a few coats of neutral wax on them. This will slightly nourish the leather, bring out a shine, and add a layer of protection from scuffs and water. I recommend this for $9. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QEV1Y2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A cheap kiwi brush is fine for now.

I don't have trees for every pair. I wear a pair, let them sit an hour after I take them off to dry, then insert a tree for 24 hours. I rotate 2 sets of trees through my collection. You could get away with just one.

I'm wearing dark chili 5th avenues with dainite soles today. You have good taste!

I actually just use a homemade sling made from leather shoelaces. I use a bowline knot to secure the strap around center-column casing (where the legs join to the spider) and that stays strapped on for good. Then on the other end I use a slip knot so that the it can be wrapped around the legs and easily slipped off. Ill post a couple pictures bc it's easier to just see.

Looks fine man. Don't stress. Not sure how big they feel, but sometimes this happens with boots - especially if you have narrow feet. I know a lot of people who never put shoe trees in their boots. Some actually prefer the look of the creasing in their boots. To be honest, most shoe trees are made for dress shoes, and you'll likely prevent the creasing at vamp. Unless you get the adjustable kind that also work for [widths like these,](
http://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Epic-Twin-Tube-9-5E-10-5E/dp/B001MHJZSS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1398413049&sr=8-4&keywords=shoe+tree) the side creasing will be prevented minimally. I don't personally own any like those btw, and keep the cheap Jos A Bank ones I get on sale for $8 in all my shoes/boots and I have no complaints.

Just condition them, stick some shoe trees in them, and over time it'll look fine.

Is this the stuff? https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Conditioning-Oil-2-5-74g/dp/B00N9CHI2O

What is the best procedure for applying it? Thanks!

Thank you! I found them on Amazon. Sof Sole Flat Laces, Rainbow Pink/Purple/Blue, 45"
They have held up for three months so far. I love them with the shoes, Van's I scored at a thrift shop for $3.00. I LOVE them.

I just use the Red Wing brand leather conditioner, which can be found here .

I used to use Kiwi brand (here), which did a decent job, but I read something somewhere that silicone bases conditioners like Kiwi can cause wear on the leather.

Also, I mentioned earlier to take it by a Red Wing store. They'll condition any Red Wing shoe for free.

I got this for my suede shoes and it works well! Suede brush, suede eraser, waterproofing spray, and conditioner. I haven't tried the conditioner but the rest of it works great

Kiwi is often recommended as an intro polish kit. This was my first kit, I just received another for Christmas so I will update my comment with that when I get home later. Kiwi works just fine, Lincoln is another brand that I think gets recommended frequently. Just make sure you clean and condition before polishing.

The Art of Crep Protect Spray

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013YRRFJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pcfVDbPZ36NX5


Just don’t use it on cheap leather shoes like Jordans and you’ll be fine. You can also find them at shoe stores like Footlocker

Ah, ok - good to see where you're coming from. Here's an excerpt from Clark's themselves:

Suede and Nubuck Leathers

• To clean, use a rubber eraser to remove dirt and smudges. Then, brush lightly with a soft brush specifically for suede and nubuck products.
• Care should be taken to brush in the same direction. If you brush in different directions, some suedes will give the appearance of being two different colors.
• Never use a wire brush or polish on suede or nubuck. (Some suede brushes do have wire in the center, which is specifically made for use on suede).


Here's some cleaner

This is the eraser/brush they talk about

As for shoetrees, I don't think you'll really need them for this style boot. But it couldn't hurt if you're really worried.

I might look for a more refined dress lace than the ones already on there.

If you want the best, go with Saphir. At minimum you’ll need:

• renovateur
  
• cream polish
  
• horse hair brush
  
• old t-shirt (for applying reno, applying cream, and buffing)
  
  You can skip the wax polish if you don’t want a high shine. You can use reno’mat to remove the old polish if you want just be careful with it because it can strip the leather of its color.
  
  I also recommend buying some Fiebings edge dressing because sloppy sole edges will ruin an otherwise good shine.
  

Thank you ☺️ My go to conditioner is Kiwi Conditioning Oil. It’s been the best for really getting into the pores and softening the leather.

I just ordered this Saphir Creme Universelle. I don’t know if it’ll be better than the Kiwi but I’ll give it a go.

Roughly these, though I bought them a year and a half ago before I knew about proper care.

I'm currently thinking this leather care kit, a horsehair brush, and mink oil

just ordered my beeswax desert mali earlier today. it looks so much better when you switch the laces out. i was thinkin about gettin darker leather laces, but the color of your laces look fantastic!

once i wear the soles out, i wanna get them resoled with wedges.

Kiwi has Cordovan, Oxblood, and Mahogany. I'm not sure about the differences, but I think "oxblood" is usually a little brighter, and "mahogany" sounds like it should be more brownish.

So should I use mink oil, or not? Is it for something completely different?

So far, it looks like I'm getting this, this, and this. Should I get a shoe conditioner like this, too?

This this this. Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner and Brush. Love this kit.

These are what I have.

I'm wearing them at PAX South this weekend in San Antonio, TX. I'm not out to a lot of people, but if somebody sees them on my feet, they'll know in a nice subtle way.

The polish you'll want is Cordovan polish. That's if you want to keep the color true as possible.

That being said, I own a pair of ox-blood shoes and recently experimented using brown shoe polish. It lightened the color a bit and it turned out extremely well. They're now my primary shoes for almost everyday wear.

1. Single Malt Scotch

2. Good Watch

3. Straight Razor Shavette + Kit

4. Decent Pocket Knife

5. Shoe Shine kit

6. Fountain Pen

7. Leather Wallet

8. EDC flashlight

9. Men's manicure set

10. Bottle Opener

This kit has worked well for me. I just used the water protectant on my new Quoddy suede boots and they didn't alter the color at all. Comes with an eraser bar and cleaning solution as well.

woodlore epic twin tube works pretty well in my experience

If you want a basic shoeshine kit for that price, go for the Kiwi one for $13 on Amazon (with free shipping)

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Select-Shoe-Care-Kit/dp/B0010TP3AM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451192630&sr=8-4&keywords=shoe+shine+kit

Spray the case with a few coats of Kiwi Protect - All leather protector. It makes the leather repel oils and liquids which stain the leather.

On sale at Target and Walmart

Kiwi Protect All Rain And Stain Repellant - 4.25 Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QR6V32/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NRjRBbPZHZHM5

Buttero responds very well to a polishing afterwards. I have been using this Saphir clear polish with amazing results. But no, it is not required.

I’m a size 10 and this thing has been a lifesaver: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0773HD6YR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ldFNDb4RH0WBK

I was able to salvage a pair of too small espadrilles and a pair of Gucci aces.

I clean my sneakers with this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D12KGVW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Works for me. Careful with the brush on fabrics, might want to use another brush for a softer shoe/fabric.

This book, used.

Or this, technically $.50 over your limit

67.

Thanks for the contest!

clothing: BD Alpine Start softshell, patagonia r1 hoody, puffy vest, long tights, capris, light-weight long sleeve base layer, wool socks, hat, mittens, fleece headband.

food: S-caps, gummies, bobo bars, larabars.

gear: nathan pack, kahtoola microspikes, trail shoes, sunglasses

misc: headlamp, sunscreen, toilet paper, plastic bags, lip balm.


what I take definitely varies by distance and conditions, especially in the winter. There are days when I'll want everything on that list, other days when I can get away with just a tshirt, a pair shorts, and shoes.

Don't make it too complicated.

1. Take a brush to get rid of most of the dirt on them.
   
2. Take a wet rag and rub the boots down (this should get rid of the paint stains, if not be more abrasive with the rag)
   
3. (Optional, but suggested) Apply some sort of leather conditioner / protector (ex.Mink Oil Or Obenhaufs Leather Protector)
   
4. Use a Mr.Clean Magic Eraser (or similar) to clean the wedge sole.
   
   Some of the deeper scuffs may not go away completely, but they add character to the boot.

Saphir Reno mat or Jason Markk to clean Common Projects? Also, is it necessary to use a leather conditioner to maintain white leather shoes?

I got this to take care of my suede shoes, works wonders.

You could try stretching them if the next size up is too big. I regularly stretch my shoes since I’m in between sizes. Highly recommend this contraption!

You're Welcome.

Thanks, I'm in the US though, so the shipping cost may not be worth it. I'm probably going to go with Kiwi's Cordovan wax polish. Based on reviews the shade is very close to burgundy.

I'm unfamiliar with the neutral wax polish. How does it compare to a pigmented polish?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013YRRFJ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493956656&sr=8-2&pi=AC_AA280_QL65&keywords=crep+protect
Yeah it says black because when the can itself is black haha. Its purple on he pic on amazon but when i got mine it was black

I personally use this Fiebing's Leather Sole & Heel... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00551BVPM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Allen Edmond also make good heel dressing and saphir has a cream (rather than a liquid edge dressing)

Suede is already not very rain-friendly; those shoes are for indoors and nice weather. Also, you can use a rubber overshoe http://www.amazon.com/Totes-Geometric-Rubber-Overshoe-Loafer/dp/B002NWZLSY

Crep Protect would be my recommendation. It’s $15 but it works well and lasts a while

I used to use Kiwi Protect All when I sprayed shoes.

Crep Protect The Art of Spray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013YRRFJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4Ak7AbTZ8AHDQ

something like this plus shoe trees

There are a lot of shoe cleaning kits on the market you can use, I recommend this one

Would something like this work for standard 1ks? Shape is somewhat similar. http://www.amazon.com/Totes-Mens-Protective-Overshoe-Rain/dp/B002NWZLSY

crep it's like 4 dollars

They make rubber overshoes you can slip on over your dress shoes.

They're perfect for keeping the salt off of leather shoes. Not quite stylish, but very practical.

Has anyone used this brand for suede cleaning gear? It has a waterproofing spray, cleaner, nylon brush, and eraser; is there anything else that I would need?

https://www.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-ReviveX-Nubuck-Fabric/dp/B002HH0PL8/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1486936054&sr=1-1&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=suede+care+kit

My biggest issue is the wind. If that's similar, look at overshoes to make you wind proof. Otherwise, layer warmer socks.
https://www.amazon.com/totes-Waterproof-Protective-Rubber-Overshoes/dp/B002NWZLSY

Do you want a high shine finishing wax or a general shoe care+shining polish? If the latter, I'd say just suck it up and get Saphir Pate De Lux without Prime. Medaille D'Or is their top of the line stuff, but if you're looking to spend a little less, their second-tier line - Beaut Du Cur - is also good. Don't let a few extra days and dollars stop you from buying something you're going to have for months/years.

I just used some mink oil. It rains about every other day where I live and I've been wearing the boots daily and I've never had wet feet. The mink oil does make the boots a bit darker though so if you do end up using it be prepared for that!

Here's the link for the mink oil I used. Sorry I'm on mobile!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003EMABT6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1420900706&sr=8-2&dpPl=1&dpID=51yuFvZakwL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

You can use one of these to extend the length - they really work!

https://www.amazon.com/Stretcher-Widener-Adjustable-Expander-Included/dp/B0773HD6YR

Yea overshoes are great. I love just stomping through the elements with no worries. They were actually $4 at kohls ($6 shipping) but I got some crazy sale. They usually run $20 (but still worth it). Also they run kind of small. I got a medium and barely fits over size 9's.

These are the ones I got:
http://www.amazon.com/Totes-Mens-Rubber-Footwear-Overshoes/dp/B002NWZLSY

Hah or you could be this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/Cool2day-Disposable-Plastic-Covers-Overshoes/dp/B00EY2I2LO/ref=sr_1_35?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1398222951&sr=1-35&keywords=overshoe

Buy some of these on Amazon and then return them if you don't end up using them.

http://www.amazon.com/Kahtoola-MICROspikes-Footwear-Traction-2015/dp/B00RXXJ0V2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463098649&sr=8-1&keywords=Micro+spikes

For the prime knit I would just use a sneaker shoe cleaner you can find on Amazon.

Those are nubuck/suede not regular leather, don't do some of the recommendations here or you're going to ruin them. They sell suede cleaners specifically for this type of shoes. I have a similar that I clean with a suede eraser and brush the eraser removes the stain and the brush restores the nap (texture).

https://www.amazon.com/Crep-Protect-Spray-U-Art-Spray/dp/B013YRRFJ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1511997447&sr=1-1&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=crep+suede+spray

Someone suggested mink oil to me in another post.

amazon

I know nothing about boots. My boyfriend had a pair of Timberland boots that, after 3 years of daily wear (walking around a garage for shifts at work) they were beginning to let water in, so we got him a new pair of the same exact kind. We never oiled them or anything (didn't know that was a thing until I read your comment) so maybe they would have lasted longer if we had..

These are the boots.

If I buy this will that work for them?

[Jason Mark] (https://www.amazon.com/Jason-Markk-Premium-Cleaner-Solution/dp/B00D12KGVW/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1501172066&sr=1-1&nodeID=9616100011&psd=1&keywords=jason+markk)

this stuff works wonders

Jason Markk via Amazon

i have those too! Amazon FTW

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000P89EJK

This^

Clarks Wallabees boots

shoe cleaner

Scarf

Jason Mark Essential kit: $16.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D12KGVW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Brush Set- $5.89
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V4EG6D6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Angelus Paint: $8.49
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQ53QA8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just ordered this! It kept popping up on every list.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BHF8UB8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1420859064&sr=8-1

oxblood, burgundy, etc. if youre really unsure about it and arent interested in the possible darkening that you might get with a polish that isnt spot on, you could go with a neutral polish. all of the shine but no worry of changing the original color.

on a related note and because you say youre just starting a polishing kit, i cannot recommend a shine box highly enough. classy way to keep your kit together so you dont need to worry about shoving it into a closet or under a sink (which makes me much less likely to shine my shoes regularly), it makes the actual shine much easier when you can just put your foot up, and i am of the opinion that the smell of polish and cedar is manly as fuck.

Winter hat, face mask, heavy duty winter gloves, heavy duty jacket, multiple layers of clothing, with a synthetic base layer (underarmor), Microspikes, hiking poles, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, snowshoes (recommend but not required), water, & food.

Hiking in Colorado is no joke, hiking in the winter is even more serious.

look around where you found it in the car to see if anything stained part of the car or what could have possibly leaked. i would try a suede cleaning kit that has an eraser and brush (no chemicals) and see if that could get it off. i think Jason Markk or Kiwi make an affordable kit for this. I think Target carries the Kiwi one in store too.

Does know of a particular polish that would go with cordovan 1ks? I really don't want to destroy them with a wrong color polish or something. I've been thinking about this: http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Cordovan-Shoe-Polish-1-1/dp/B000MLBCU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376195487&sr=8-1&keywords=cordovan+shoe+polish

wouldn't these solve your problems on both fronts for much cheaper?
you just take them off and pimp the dress shoes.

Crep is ~$15 for a 5oz bottle and JM Repel is ~$17 for an 8oz bottle

Crep $3/oz, JM Repel $2.22/oz. /r/theydidthemath

Fuck all that, if I'm gonna do it I'll just do it right.

Brand | Price | Bottle Size | Cost/Oz
---|---|----|--
Crep | $14.37 | 5 oz | $2.87/oz
JM Repel | $16.72 | 8oz | $2.09/oz
Kiwi (Shoe) | $8.95 | 7.7 oz | $1.16/oz

• [Tarrago High Tech Nano Protector](https://www.amazon.com/Tarrago-Hightech-Nano-Protector-Spray/dp/B003U47QBY/ref=sr_1_19? s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1498842954&sr=1-19&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=shoe+protector+spray) | $9.69 | Written in Metric so idk ^^it's ^^8.45 | $1.15/oz *
  
  
  All prices are when I checked it so if you're finding this later just do the $ amount/fl oz size of bottle.
  
  Kiwi is the second cheapest and was vouched for by /u/thikthird.
  
  Tarrago is the absolute cheapest (by 1 cent over Kiwi) and I have seen it vouched for several times, so if you got $10 pick Tarrago or Kiwi.

Don't listen to /u/oregonianrager, the only boot supplement to get is this. Don't fuck with Yaktrax or any other bullshit. Buy 'em on Amazon with 2-day shipping or some shit and you can go jogging pass all these lily livered tip toers out here.

Low Budget

Sweater - JCF
Belt - DIY or Orion
Pants - Unbranded 101
Boots - CDB Beeswax, Mink Oil

Higher Budget

Sweater - Rag and Bone
Belt - Vermilyea Pelle
Pants - Raleigh
Boots - I don't know, I'm pretty poor